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Landships II -> Landships WW1 Forum -> Tanks -> Traversing the Renault FT turret, how?
Post Info TOPIC: Traversing the Renault FT turret, how?
polisheagle1939


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Traversing the Renault FT turret, how?
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How was turning the turret in a Renault FT accomplished? Manpower but how? Thanks



-- Edited by polisheagle1939 on Tuesday 26th of April 2011 03:47:10 AM

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James H


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I must admit that I have wondered about that from time to time. IIRC, the gunner sat on a sort of sling, presumably with his feet braced against the floor. To rotate the turret by using the gun as a lever would have been highly inefficient and less than beneficial to the gun, even if the laws of physics would allow it (about which I don't know enough to be sure). From my extremely shaky grasp of moments, fulcrums, and suchlike, I think that would only work if the length of gun inside the turret was more than 50% of the diameter of the turret. Some drawings give the impression that it was, but the gun looks oversize in some of them, so I have resvations.

I've had a look at some film, but no clues there so far. I can only guess that the back and shoulders must have come into play rather a lot, with the feet pushing against the floor. Maybe there was some sort of projection in the side of the turret where the gunner could get some purchase.

It will not surprise me at all if I am completely wrong.



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Rob


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If it's any use, from my meagre experience of turrets, solely with the WW2 Morris Light Reconnaissance Car, you sit on a seat which dangles from the turret, similar to the sling as described with the Renault FT - the turret is on a ring and the machine gun is on a bar which can be moved up and down for elevation, like the Scarff ring seen on British 2 seat aircraft in WW1 - to traverse the turret you have to use your whole body to move it around, mainly using your feet on the floor pushing yourself around

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Pat


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Some hints here - a recent FT17 trial. Depending on where you are from, you might want to switch sound off cowboy.gifsprint.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPkMn158Fwo



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kieffer


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it was mounted on a bearing race and the gunner could turn the turret manually. It could be locked by a brake. It is amazing though how easy heavy loads or machinery can be moved if they are based upon a smooth surface or mount. Even some cloth can do a lot.

Kieffer



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Ironsides


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Hi, Theres a film clip here about 40 secounds in a french officer showing an American an FT and easily turns the turret without any effort from the outside...

http://www.realmilitaryvideos.com/wwi/allied-tanks-soldiers-during-a-lull-in-the-fighting-wwi/

Cheerswink



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Great War Truck


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Yes, i would agree with that. I bought the excellent FT17 restoration DVD by Hayes Otoupalik which showed him traversing the turret by putting his shoulder against the inside. It looked quite easy, but i imagine it must have been rather hard doing it on a shell torn battle field. Without locking it the thing would turn around on its own.

If you are interested in the operation and running of the FT then i would reccomend getting his DVD. It is only i think available on NTSC so you will need a multi regional DVD player (for non US/Canadian readers).

http://www.hayesotoupalik.com/FT_17_Renault.htm


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James H


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Rotating FT Turret
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Someone was asking a little while ago how this was done.

A line from Blumenson's The Patton Papers:

"The turret could turn 360 degrees . . . by means of two handles located inside."

I haven't seen this mentioned before and haven't noticed them in any photos or drawings, but that's what he says.



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Rectalgia


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RE: Traversing the Renault FT turret, how?
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Merged.

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James H


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I thank you.



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